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Top 10 Busiest Airports in the World

Top 10 Busiest Airports in the World

The airport plays a vital role in connecting people and goods globally. But have you ever pondered on the fact which airport dominates global skies? Which airport handles millions of passengers and contributes to the world’s aviation landscape? Well, several methodologies can be used to find out the world’s busiest airport. You can do Online Flight Ticket Booking for your favourite destination. According to the July 2023 report of the ACI (Airport Council International), the following are the top 10 busiest airports in the world ranked based on their passenger traffic. 

10th Busiest Airport:  Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)


Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport secured the 10th position on the list of the world’s busiest airports of ACI. It’s also known as Roissy Airport or Paris CDG. 

  • Location and background information: Located in Paris (the capital city of France), the airport covers 32.38 square kilometres of land and is considered the largest international airport in France. The airport was opened in 1974 and named after the wartime leader of Free French and later President of France, General Charles de Gaulle. His initials (CDG) are used as the IATA code of the airport.

  • Passengers: As per the July 2023 ACI report, CDG airport accommodates approximately 60 million passengers annually. The actual data revealed is 57,474,033, which increases to 119.4% compared to 2021 data. 

  • Notable features and facilities: The airport has three terminals. It also serves free CDGVal shuttle trains that run between the train stations, car park and terminals. 

9th Busiest Airport: Indira Gandhi Delhi International Airport (DEL)


India’s Indira Gandhi Delhi International Airport secured 9th rank in the list of ACI’s top 10 busiest airports in the world.  Delhi Airport is the primary airport hub serving both national and international traffic in India.

  • Location and background information: Located in Palam, around 16 km from New Delhi city centre and is spread over 5,106 acres of land. The airport is named after the former Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi. 

  • Passengers: It handles a massive number of passengers. As per ACI’s report, it handles around  59,490,074 passengers annually which is a 60.2% increase of 2021 data. 

  • Notable features and facilities: It has four near-parallel runways, three terminals and a wide array of amenities including shopping, dining options etc. 


8th Busiest Airport: London Heathrow Airport


The 8th busiest airport listed is London Heathrow Airport. Also known as London Airport and is considered the sixth largest airport in the London Airport System. 

  • Location and background information: Located London Borough of Hillingdon, around 23 km west of Central London, serves as the primary international airport of the city and the UK. The airport is operated and owned by Heathrow Airport Holdings.

  • Passengers: It handles millions of passengers which figures to 61,614, 508 which is a 217.7% increase compared to 2021 data. 

  • Notable features and facilities: The airport has four passenger terminals, modern infrastructure and a wide array of amenities.  

7th Busiest Airport: Istanbul Airport (IST)


In the ACI July 2023 list of the world’s busiest airports, Istanbul Airport ranked 7th. It is also referred to as the Istanbul New Airport. It’s the larger of two international airports serving Turkey and Istanbul. 

  • Location and background information: The airport is located in the Arnavutköy district of the  European side city. Its location at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East makes it a crucial connecting hub for travellers from various continents. 

  • Passengers: It handles more than 64 million passengers. However, the exact figure per the report is 64,289,107 which is a 73.8% increase compared to 2021 data. 

  • Notable features and facilities: It has one terminal that serves both domestic and international flights and has five runaways. 

6th Busiest Airport: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)


Los Angeles International Airport ranks 6th in the world’s busiest airport list. Commonly known by its IATA Code LAX, pronounced individually. 


  • Location and background information: It is located in Westchester on the west side of Los Angeles. Los Angeles World Airport ( LAWA) operates it. The airport is considered the major point of entry to the USA for flights from Asia and Oceania. 

  • Passengers: It handles 65, 924, 298 passengers as per the report of ACI which is a 37.3% increase compared to 2021 data. 

  • Notable features and facilities: It has 9 passenger terminals with 146 gates and a wide array of amenities. 


5th Busiest Airport: Dubai International Airport (DXB)


The 5th busiest airport in the list of ACI is Dubai International Airport, IATA code DXB. It’s the largest hub of the Middle East.  

  • Location and background information: It is located in the Al Garhoud district which is 4.6 km from Dubai. The airport covers 7,200 acres of land. In 2019, the airport installed the world’s largest solar energy system aiming to reduce 30% of the city's energy consumption by 2030.

  • Passengers: It handles  66, 069, 981 passengers as per the report of ACI which is a 127% increase compared to 2021 data. 

  • Notable features and facilities: It has 3 passenger terminals, extensive retail outlets for shopaholics, hotel facilities, a spa and wellness etc. 

4th Busiest Airport: Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)


Chicago O’Hare International Airport has secured 4th rank in the list of the top 10 busiest airports in the world. Sometimes it is referred to as Chicago O’Hare or just simply O’Hare.  

  • Location and background information: The airport is located on the city's Northwest Side. It’s a primary international airport serving Chicago and Illinois. 

  • Passengers: It handles  68, 340, 619 passengers as per the report of ACI which is a 26.5% increase compared to 2021 data. 

  • Notable features and facilities: It has four passenger terminals and a total of 213 gates, two sets of parallel runways and other amenities such as shopping, dining options and more. 

3rd Busiest Airport: Denver International Airport (DEN)


Locally known as DIA, Denver International Airport ranked 3rd in the list of the world’s busiest airports. It is one of the busiest airports in the United States and is also known for being the largest airport in the country by land area.

  • Location and background information: Situated on the western fringes of the Great Plains, Denver International Airport (DEN) offers a picturesque view of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. It was opened in 1995 and spreads over 33, 531 acres of land. 

  • Passengers: It handles 69, 286, 461 passengers as per the report of ACI which is a 17.8% increase compared to 2021 data. 

  • Notable features and facilities: It has six runaways, one terminal, distinctive and eye-catching design. 

2nd Busiest Airport: Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) 


Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is the largest hub of American Airlines and secured 2nd rank in the list of the top 10 busiest airports in the world. 

  • Location and background information: The airport is located between the two major cities Dallas and Fort Worth and spreads over 17,207 acres of land. 

  • Passengers: It handles 73, 362, 946 passengers as per the report of ACI which is a 17.8% increase compared to 2021 data. 

  • Notable features and facilities: It has five terminals and two Hyatt-branded hotels located near the airport.

1st Busiest Airport: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)


The airport which secured 1st rank in ACI’s world’s busiest airport list is Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Serving as a major connecting point for domestic and international flights. It is also known as Atlanta Hartsfield–Jackson International Airport, Hartsfield–Jackson International Airport, Atlanta Airport and Hartsfield–Jackson. It’s the primary airport serving Atlanta, Georgia and the United States. 

  • Location and background information: The airport is located 16 km south of the Downtown Atlanta district. The airport is named after former Atlanta mayors William B. Hartsfield and Maynard Jackson and covers 4,700 acres of land. 

  • Passengers: It handles 93, 699, 630 passengers as per the report of ACI which is a 23.8% increase compared to 2021 data. 

  • Notable features and facilities: It has two terminals and 192 gates along with a wide array of amenities. 

These top 10 busiest airports in the world for 2023 demonstrate the ever-increasing importance of air travel in our globalized world. They serve as vital connectors, fostering economic growth and cultural exchange. As air travel continues to evolve, these airports will likely maintain their significance and pave the way for advancements in the aviation industry. If you are planning to travel to a destination nearby these airports then book your online flight ticket in advance to avoid last-minute rush.